Pulled for numberplate

[Maser Sod]

I personally would keep driving with it as it is.

If a copper approached me, I would personally ask him why he doesn't better utilise his time stopping all those winkers who drive whilst on their mobiles. It beggars belief.

 

[outrun]

So the rule is that one copper can't usually issue a ticket because they use a 2nd as their witness. This is fundamentally why they travelling in pairs. Its a weird flaw of the law, in court its your word against his which will ultimately lead to stalemate and case unproven. Its very unlikely he will want to pursue the paperwork of a weak case. Be careful though as a single copper can call for assistance if you get their back up enough.

If you hear anything, which I'll give you 10-1 against, fight it and it will be dismissed. The Crown can't afford to prosecute weak cases.

 

[zagatoes30]

Matt the plate is illegal, end of - it is an offence to alter the spacing or the font, you have no defence.

On the other hand it is not in anyones interest (other than revenue generation) to take it much further. The DVLA will probably write to you explaining the rules around spacing and if you continue to ignore them, they will initially fine you and eventually withdraw the plate.

Fingers crossed it goes no further but once you are visible the ball starts rolling - you might want to consider running it on a standard part for a while to pacify the pen pushers (somehow I doubt you will )

 

[hodroyd]

Matt,
Learn how to say F*** Off in Polish, or maybe French, finishing with, in the same language..."Do you like me", hopefully the wally fuzz will do a runner..!!
Or you could just turn it upside down..??

 

[BennyD]

I personally would keep driving with it as it is.

If a copper approached me, I would personally ask him why he doesn't better utilise his time stopping all those winkers who drive whilst on their mobiles. It beggars belief.

As an ex scuffer, I am pretty certain I would have warmly welcomed an approach like that, as an invitation to do a comprehensive, and time consuming, vehicle and document check. As a general rule, said scuffers don't appreciate a smart a55 and I am sure they would happily stop and book drivers using their phone but at that moment, at that place, it's you committing an offence. With personal number plates we all play a 'game' be it altering size, spacing or font, I know I do. If I get pulled, so be it and they get one up. If I dont get stopped, I get one up. It's the same with speeding; if you don't want to get caught for speeding, don't speed.

 

[highlander]

Was thinking the same Mr B. Cannot imagine any policeman taking kindly to be told what his priorities are!

 

[CatmanV2]

As an ex scuffer, I am pretty certain I would have warmly welcomed an approach like that, as an invitation to do a comprehensive, and time consuming, vehicle and document check. As a general rule, said scuffers don't appreciate a smart a55 and I am sure they would happily stop and book drivers using their phone but at that moment, at that place, it's you committing an offence. With personal number plates we all play a 'game' be it altering size, spacing or font, I know I do. If I get pulled, so be it and they get one up. If I dont get stopped, I get one up. It's the same with speeding; if you don't want to get caught for speeding, don't speed.

Ye flipping gods! Benny as the voice of reason. That solar eclipse really did screw the planet

Seriously, couldn't agree more. What is a 'proper' criminal? Someone breaking the law. End of

C

 

[Maser Sod]

I'm sure they wouldn't like it, and obviously it's not in my best interests. But someone has to ask why they are spending/wasting their time chasing up people like Matt.

If the govt want to crack down on personalised plates, then they should use overhead cameras for the same, just as they do for road tax and insurance checks. Not police resources. And the DVLA shouldn't encourage personalised plates with staggered pricing.

 

[BennyD]

I'm sure they wouldn't like it, and obviously it's not in my best interests. But someone has to ask why they are spending/wasting their time chasing up people like Matt.

Best you ask the politicians who make the law. The police only uphold it, and it's their job to prosecute those who break it. Sure, they have a degree of discretion but its up to the individual as to wether they exercise it.

 

[outrun]

Totally agree. They have the tech to handle it. You also have to ask what harm a plate like Matt's is really having. The real issue is with disguising a plate to read something that its not, for example placing a black screw cover or two where they shouldn't be. This causes issue with ANPR cameras etc and should be clamped down on. But M4TT X is hardly difficult to read. Its a nonsense and a waste of resources.

 

[BennyD]

There is no harm in it but, I say again, it's illegal and the Police have a duty to prosecute offenders. My front plate is also illegal (size) as is my bike plate (size) and every time I drive them I risk a fine. So be it and whether we agree with it, or not, matters not. Quite often they will stop a performance car with a dodgy plate so they can have a look at the car but if they get 'static' from the driver, they are likely to book him instead of just having a word.

 

[zagatoes30]

I'm sure they wouldn't like it, and obviously it's not in my best interests. But someone has to ask why they are spending/wasting their time chasing up people like Matt.
.

Sergeant: Savage, why do you keep arresting this man?
Constable Savage: He's a villain, sir.
Sergeant: ...A villain.
Constable Savage: And a jailbird, sir.
Sergeant: I know he's a jailbird, Savage, he's down in the cells now! We're holding him on a charge of being caught in possession of an illegal number plate

 

[davidhowson]

It's not just the spacing to watch out for as a friend of mine found out.
All plates must carry the name and post code of the plate maker and also the British Standards number.

 

[zagatoes30]

One of our Le Mans crew has an illegal plate on his Alfa Spider (Silver letters on black on a 1978 car), he always carries a set of legal white & yellow plates in his boot and plans to apologise for forgetting to remove his show plates if he ever gets pulled but as it's never happened no idea how successful or not he will be.

 

[outrun]

As an ex scuffer, I am pretty certain I would have warmly welcomed an approach like that, as an invitation to do a comprehensive, and time consuming, vehicle and document check. As a general rule, said scuffers don't appreciate a smart a55 and I am sure they would happily stop and book drivers using their phone but at that moment, at that place, it's you committing an offence. With personal number plates we all play a 'game' be it altering size, spacing or font, I know I do. If I get pulled, so be it and they get one up. If I dont get stopped, I get one up. It's the same with speeding; if you don't want to get caught for speeding, don't speed.

There is total planetary imbalance in effect. Ian has installed 3200 parts and has changed overnight. Soon you'll be buying only French products mate!

 

[BennyD]

I do the same. I reckon if the correct plate is put on in front of him, the offence disappears and s/he won't bother going through all the paperwork, unless s/he is a complete c*nt.

 

[BennyD]

There is total planetary imbalance in effect. Ian has installed 3200 parts and has changed overnight. Soon you'll be buying only French products mate!

No chance! I'm playing devils advocate because I think it's Bollox as well. The problem is, it's not what we think, it's what the scuffer thinks that matters. Ba5tards, the lot of them (the french, not the police!).

 

[Maser Sod]

No chance! I'm playing devils advocate because I think it's Bollox as well. The problem is, it's not what we think, it's what the scuffer thinks that matters. Ba5tards, the lot of them (the french, not the police!).

Glad we are all broadly in agreement!

 

[CatmanV2]

Sergeant: Savage, why do you keep arresting this man?
Constable Savage: He's a villain, sir.
Sergeant: ...A villain.
Constable Savage: And a jailbird, sir.
Sergeant: I know he's a jailbird, Savage, he's down in the cells now! We're holding him on a charge of being caught in possession of an illegal number plate

Constable Savage: Well, there you go sir!
Seargeant: *You* arrested him, Savage!
Constable Savage: Thank you very much sir!

Seriously, where do you draw the line. Intent has *never* been an excuse in the law. Just because Matt wasn't doing it to disguise the plate makes it no less illegal, or anyone could out what the **** they like on. Also, Matt's is quite clear what it's meant to be, but when you start adding screws, odd fonts and such like it becomes more likely it will not be read correctly by ANPR or witnesses.

C

 

[safrane]

I used to pull over lots of these and issue a VDRS, & HORT1 after a couple of stops I found most kept the plate to standard as it was taking up time.

As Benny states its a fair cop if you are pulled. Oh and the earlier post re havinf
g two offices may apply to Scotland but not England...I spent most of my years in GMP and Kent patroling on my tod.